Raines International Appoints Leader of Innovation Practice

October 30, 2019 – New York-based Raines International has expanded with the addition of John J. Keller to lead its innovation practice and assist clients in identifying and bringing innovative, transformational leaders to their organizations.

A veteran recruiter and former journalist, Mr. Keller brings to Raines over two decades of search and advisory experience, recruiting transformational leaders to clients in the technology, telecommunications, digital/data and media industries.

“John is a true leader in executive search, and we are thrilled to have him as part of our team,” said Dan Smith, CEO of Raines International. “He is someone I’ve always admired, not only as an expert in the technology, media and telecommunications space, but because of how he embraces what it truly means to be an advisor to his clients. It’s why global leaders have always turned to John for CEO, C-suite, and board leaders to guide them through eras of change, whether it be IPOs, bankruptcy or rapid growth, and why he will be an invaluable asset for our clients.”

Mr. Keller formerly served as managing director, innovation and transformation practice leader at Diversified Search. Earlier in his search career, Mr. Keller spent over 10 years as a senior partner and practice leader at Spencer Stuart for which he helped to build the firm’s tech, media and telecommunications practice, as well as its assessment and business/leadership intelligence units. He also spent over a decade doing TMT leadership and search and advisory work for Korn/Ferry, CTPartners and others. Keller’s search career came after many years as an award-winning senior editor, investigative reporter and television business journalist for the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, CNBC and others.

“I am very proud and excited to be joining Dan and the Raines team as they continue to scale Raines’s capabilities as a world-class client-focused search and leadership consulting business,” Mr. Keller said. “This era requires a fresh approach to client service and the examination of leadership. We find leaders who exhibit strong innovation competence, who can manage well not only in good times, but also in more challenging scenarios that demand a fresh context to ensure growth and value creation.”

Veteran Search Firm

Founded in 1969, Raines International conducts global searches for C-suite executives and their direct reports. With expertise in all major industry sectors and functional areas, its client base includes privately held companies, publicly held corporations, leading private equity and venture capital firms and not-for-profits. The firm operates in New York City; Bentonville, AR; Boston; San Francisco; and Buenos Aires.

Recently, Raines announced that Matt Seiler, previously president of brand solutions with Dentsu Aegis Network, joined the firm in dual roles. Mr. Seiler serves as both managing director of the firm’s marketing and communications practice and as its first executive-in-residence. He splits his time between the firm’s Boston and New York City offices.

“Anyone who knows Matt knows he is an inspirational change agent who has lived his career on the leading edge of business innovation,” said Mr. Smith. “As ad agency strategist, he changed the trajectories of client companies by reinventing their advertising, marketing, and digital agendas. As president and CEO of the most respected global media agencies, Matt disrupted industry standards and inviolable business models while doubling firm revenues.”

In March, Raines appointed Mr. Smith as its new president and CEO. Founder and current CEO Bruce R. Raines remains with the firm as senior managing director, focusing his full-time efforts on client and search management.

“The past year has been enormously rewarding for me on both personal and professional levels,” said Mr. Raines. “While I shall remain fully active going forward, these milestones suggest it is the right time to transition the leadership of our firm to the next generation.”

“Our firm brings a strong focus on succession planning in serving our clients as well as ourselves. I have worked closely with Dan in preparing him to assume the roles of president and CEO, which ensures a seamless transition within this important leadership position for our company,” Mr. Raines said. “Dan brings the required client focus and deep search expertise of our business to lead the firm into the future.”

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media